CM Punjab briefs investment opportunities to trade delegation of Denmark

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that there are strong economic relations between Pakistan and Denmark, however, there is a need for further promotion of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. All out measures will be taken for this purpose, he added. He said that there is a vast scope of investment in power, renewable energy, livestock & dairy development, mining, environmental protection and other sectors in Punjab and Danish companies should benefit from these investment opportunities. He said that a conducive atmosphere has been created in the province for investment and all necessary facilities are being provided to investors under one roof.

He was talking to the first official level trade delegation of Denmark visiting Pakistan, here today. The delegation was led by Danish Ambassador in Pakistan Jesper Moller Sorensen. Matters regarding promotion of bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, livestock & dairy development, renewable energy, environmental protection, engineering, technology, mining and other sectors were discussed in the meeting.

The Danish trade delegation and heads of various companies expressed keen interest in promotion of cooperation in trade, investment and other sectors in Pakistan especially Punjab and it was agreed that bilateral trade and economic relations will be further strengthened.

The Chief Minister said that Punjab is an agrarian province and there is a vast scope of promotion of agro-based industries in the province. He said that cooperation of Denmark in agriculture sector especially modern agri farming will be welcomed. He said that Pakistan wants to expand its economic and trade ties with Denmark and the Danish investors can fully benefit from investment opportunities in Pakistan especially Punjab.

Shahbaz Sharif said that all necessary facilities are being offered to foreign investors in Punjab and Danish investors will also be facilitated. He said that development projects are being completed speedily and in a transparent manner in the province. He said that the measures taken in the province for development of education, health, livestock, agriculture, transport and infrastructure sectors are yielding positive results. He said that government is working on a massive project of supply of potable water to the citizens and Danish investors can cooperate in waste water treatment and supply of drinking water.

He said that Pakistan is facing energy crisis and besides, traditional methods, the government is also paying attention to renewable energy sources for overcoming shortage of electricity. He said that work is also being carried out on projects of generation of power from solar, biomass, biogas and wind and Danish companies can extend cooperation in this regard. He said that the first and a unique project of solar power is being set up in South Punjab and a 100-megawatt solar power project in Bahawalpur is in the final stages of completion and will soon start production.

The Danish Ambassador while speaking on the occasion, said that his country wants to promote trade and economic relations with Pakistan especially Punjab. He said that the first official level trade delegation of Denmark has come to Pakistan and has held useful negotiations with Pakistani authorities. He said that Denmark will extend all out cooperation for the promotion of trade and investment in various sectors in the country and further progress will be made after reviewing the prospects in this regard.

Director Confederation of Danish Industry Jens Holst-Nielsen said that steps will be taken for strengthening cooperation with Pakistan in different sectors so that the volume of bilateral trade could be increased and economic relations could be strengthened. The Danish trade delegation included Thomas-Hagen Frederiksen, Leif Pederson, Ole Christensen, Anjum Parvaiz, Rizwan Ali, Yawar Ali Abidi and others. Provincial Ministers Ch. Muhammad Shafiq, Khalil Tahir Sindhu, Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, Secretaries of Industry, Minerals, Labour, Livestock & Dairy Development, Special Secretary Home and concerned officers were also present on the occasion.